Proof The Bible Is True

Tom Doyle, author of a new book about Christians facing persecution in the Middle East, tells us that, in spite of the advance of Islamic State, God is changing the hearts of people in the region as Christians continue to boldly share the gospel message in spite of the risks and violence. He’ll share the story of a Muslim convert forced to choose between her daughter and her Savior, and a group of pastors ready to die rather than leave the work God has called them to in Syria. Tom also challenges Christians in free nations to live with the [More]

Not only is the Islamic State (IS) persecuting Christians but so are the U.S.-supported “rebel” forces in Syria, which the Obama administration assures are “moderate.” According to a recent National Public Radio (NPR) report, “With backing from U.S. allies, like Turkey and Saudi Arabia, this [U.S. supported] rebel coalition fights both the Syrian regime and the so-called Islamic State, or ISIS. But the coalition has extremists in its own ranks who have mistreated Christians and forced them out of their homes”—just as IS has done. In response, Mideast Christian leaders have made clear that, far from expecting the West to [More]

“Brother Jay” has just returned from Central Asia, where he shared fellowship with Christians facing persecution while trying to reach Muslims with the gospel message. Jay shares the challenges these believers face–including the challenge of connecting with other believers and even just meeting together for worship. Jay tells us how the example of these believers challenges his own faith, and how he prepares to travel into dangerous places where Christians are laying down their lives for Christ. You’ll be able to pray more effectively for believers in Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Uzbekistan and other nations in Central Asia after hearing Brother [More]

VOM’s Todd Nettleton was a guest on yesterday’s episode of In The Market With Janet Parshall, aired nationally on the Moody Broadcast Network. Janet and Todd discussed what God is doing in Iraq, how New Testaments are being delivered in North Korea and the ways Christians worship in Afghanistan in order to avoid detection by radical Muslims. Finally, they pointed listeners to the upcoming International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. Listen: Persecution Blog: VOM Featured in Moody Radio Interview

Jesus told his disciples to “Go into all the world.” He didn’t say it would be easy. Verne and Denny Johnson have experienced the joy of seeing people come to Christ while serving as missionaries in Ivory Coast. But they’ve also experienced dark days. They watched their children almost die from malaria. War forced them to evacuate their home and leave the people they loved. But God even used those dark times to bring blessings into their lives, and to open the door for further ministry. Listen as Verne and Denny share their story, and share specific ways for you [More]

Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:8, CEV)   In case you didn’t know it, August is “Happiness Happens Month.” Established by the Secret Society of Happy People, this happy month-long celebration encourages people to do something that makes them happy every single day. OK, you might be thinking, “Michelle, this month is almost over! You should’ve let us know that August was Happiness Happens Month several weeks ago!”   Well, here’s the good news. As [More]

Author Michelle Medlock Adams is celebrating 24 years of a happy marriage. Here are her top 3 tips for keeping your marriage strong. Today, Jeff and I celebrate 24 years of marriage, and I couldn’t be happier about it. You see, I picked him out when I was in eighth grade. I was at my best friend’s house practicing for our upcoming cheer tryouts when I saw him. He was shooting hoops with my best friend’s older brother. “Who is that with Ryan?” I asked. “Oh that’s Jeff Adams,” Angie answered. I stared in his direction for a few minutes longer, [More]

Just as I was finishing up my book signing at the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) in Orlando a few years ago, I noticed a woman waiting at the edge of the Guideposts booth. “We just ran out of books,” I explained, as I walked over to her, “but I’d be happy to mail you a copy from my personal stash at home.” “Oh that’s Ok,” she said. “I actually just want to talk to you.” I smiled but I was actually worried that maybe I’d met her previously and didn’t remember her. Just as I was about to ask [More]

On its way to the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., which is being built by Hobby Lobby President Steve Green for $400 million, visitors will find the largest collection of exported Israeli artifacts found on the planet. Slated to open its doors in 2017 after its groundbreaking earlier this year in February, the 430,000-square-foot Museum of the Bible will house Israeli artifacts that include pieces of the Dead Sea Scrolls, tablets from Abraham’s time and biblical papyri. The head of the Israel Antiquities Authority’s (IAA) National Treasures Department, Micky Saban, announced on Wednesday that the antiquities being shipped [More]

In the face of a U.S. Supreme Court decision finding a constitutional right to gay marriage and the Oklahoma State Supreme ruling a Ten Commandments monument unconstitutional, many Christians are experiencing increased intolerance in the public square. But does the increasingly secular culture mean believers need to adjust how they share the gospel? “Yes, I mean, and no,” said Tim Keller, founding pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City. “No in that you don’t change the good news, but, yes, it does I think change the way you share it.” Keller is the author of several well-known Christian [More]

Why is the church in China growing so quickly? One reason is because Chinese Christians are focused and intentional about sharing the gospel message with others. Jonathan and Nick, two of VOM’s international workers, just returned from visiting bold Christian workers all over China. They saw first-hand the witnessing efforts of Chinese Christians when a Christian woman on their flight began to share the gospel with them! And a couple of rows away her husband was on the same flight, in a middle seat, sharing the gospel with the passengers on either side of him. Listen in to this week’s [More]

 Over the past two years, countless stories of church demolitions and cross removals have come out of China. Estimates vary, but the total figure of churches affected is believed to be somewhere between 1,500 and 1,700 – a move that campaigners have branded unprecedented, or at least not seen since the harrowing days of the Cultural Revolution. The demolition campaign began in Zhejiang province, on the east coast of China, in late 2013. The provincial government had launched a three-year ‘Three Rectifications and One Demolition’ campaign in March of that year, supposedly with the aim of exposing and removing “illegal [More]

An actor who starred in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy has called out the West for ignoring the evils that are attacking Christianity around the world. Citing the persecution and martyrdom of Christians across the Middle East, largely at the hands of the Muslims, actor John Rhys-Davies said, “There is an extraordinary silence in the West. “Basically, Christianity in the Middle East and in Africa is being wiped out – I mean not just ideologically but physically, and people are being enslaved and killed because they are Christians. And your country and my country are doing nothing about it.” [More]

Mary of Magdala, popularly known as Mary Magdalene, is one of the more prominent figures in the Bible’s New Testament. She stayed with Jesus Christ until His crucifixion, while His apostles were in hiding. She was also among the first persons to whom the resurrected Christ showed Himself. Recently, archaeologists unearthed a first-century synagogue under a purchased land in northern Israel, believed to be part of Mary Magdalene’s home town. Along with the synagogue, an ancient altar or “bimah” was also uncovered. This is now being called “the Magdala Stone” by archaeologists. Read More : Synagogue in Mary Magdalene’s town [More]

August 22 is National Be an Angel Day, a holiday created to promote acts of kindness around the world. Here are 10 ways you can bring a little heaven to earth. As the saying goes, No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted, so reach out with a generous heart and make today truly angelic! Read More : 10 Ways to Celebrate Be an Angel Day – Page 1 | Guideposts

I often wonder about our persecuted brothers and sisters: do they struggle with things westerners usually struggle with? Do they struggle with drugs or lust or depression or alcoholism or laziness like we might? They’re humans too, the temptations are evident everywhere in the world, why wouldn’t they struggle with it too? Working at VOM, I’ve heard powerful stories of people in cultures that are also saturated in drugs, alcohol and promiscuity who turn their lives to Christ and are then persecuted. But their eyes are focused completely on Christ, it’s as if their past struggles with these addictive things [More]

 “Brother Jay” continues the conversation about working in North Africa, including the biggest challenge that new Muslim converts to Christianity face, and how they prepare Christians—from their first days walking with Christ—to face persecution and rejection. Jay also shares ways that American Christians can reach out to Muslims who live right here in the United States. Then we’ll talk with Christian recording artist Nicole C. Mullen about her love for VOM’s book, Jesus Freaks, how she prays for persecuted believers and why she shares the stories of the faith of persecuted Christians with her children. Listen: http://www.persecutionblog.com/2015/08/preparing-for-persecution-in-north-africa.html

“Brother Jay” served more than a decade among Muslims in North Africa, sharing the love of Christ and discipling believers to become strong in their faith and share Jesus’ love with their countrymen. He shares how God is tearing down walls to allow His word to go forth. Jay has seen the persecution Muslim converts face, often persecution that comes first from their own families. He’s also seen Western Christians expelled and sent home. Jay will share with us about the faithfulness of God—even amidst persecution—and how Christians overcome fear to boldly share the gospel and keep serving the Lord [More]

The Pew Research Center made headlines earlier this year when it released a study on America’s rapidly growing religious “nones” – atheists, agnostics and others with no religious affiliation. But one researcher warns that the institutional church also needs to be aware of the “dones.” “We saw people that would have preferred to stay in church but they felt like they couldn’t do what God was calling them to do inside of these institutional structures, and so they had to get out,” remarks Dr. Josh Packard, who conducted the study. empty church pews 620x300Packard, director of the Social Research Lab [More]

I find the nation of North Korea almost endlessly fascinating. There seems to be no way that anyone born and raised in a free nation can understand the level of control and paranoia that exists inside “The Hermit Kingdom.” And very few of us will ever be allowed to visit. Suki Kim was allowed to visit…and even to live in North Korea. She was hired to teach English at a university in Pyongyang. While teaching, she was also collecting material for a book. That book, “Without You, There Is No Us: My Time with the Sons of North Korea’s Elite,” [More]

“Also have something on hand like the free witnessing aid provided on this site to give someone if they have questions on subjects you do not have a ready answer for.”  Admin The head of an evangelism ministry is encouraging Christians to be prepared and have a plan of action when talking to someone about spiritual things. The founder and CEO of EvanTell is Dr. Larry Moyer, who explains that many Christians find themselves getting involved in spiritual discussions with colleagues, friends or family members, and then getting stuck not knowing how to move forward with the conversation. Moyer says [More]

Catholic leaders have pledged to “make the cross flourish throughout China” following the removal of more than 1,200 crosses from churches in Zhejiang province. “Each time they take a cross down, we will put more up,” one church leader told the Guardian at a protest on Friday. “We are even considering making flags and clothes with cross patterns. We will make the cross flourish throughout China.” The crackdown on churches in China has been widely reported over the past year. The majority of those that have had their crosses forcibly removed or that have been torn down completely have been [More]

Christians considering how to respond to the Supreme Court’s creation of “same-sex marriage” face a challenge from within – those who call themselves “gay Christians” and contend the Bible does not condemn homosexual behavior. One of the most conspicuous figures in the movement is Matthew Vines, who has written a book arguing Scripture does not condemn same-sex sexual relationships. Vines has also produced a video presenting his evidence, “The Biblical Case in Support of Same-Sex Relationships,” which has accumulated 750,000 views. Vines’ organization, The Reformation Project, explains it “exists to train Christians to support and affirm lesbian, gay, bisexual, and [More]

“Are you willing to go to jail for three years in order to keep working with us on this project?” It is an intimidating question, but those who secretly deliver Bibles to China’s Christians know that it is a very real risk. “Brother Joel” is one of VOM’s Bible distribution partners, helping deliver Bibles into every province of China. Every single year he asks each one of his workers that question: are you ready to go to jail to keep giving away Bibles? Listen in this week to learn about Joel’s work and how his workers answer that question. They [More]

As the director of Voice Ministries at VOM, I have the privilege of helping connect believers in the United States with their persecuted family. In my conversations with believers, I have seen some common misconceptions about persecuted Christians. Read more  Persecution Blog: Three Misconceptions about Persecuted Christians.

A special conference featuring top-line experts on Islam, Israel, the end times and more is on tap for an Aug. 6-8 weekend in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Pikes Peak Prophecy Summmit conference will feature Bill Federer talking about how ‘gay marriage’ is a declaration of war on Christianity, Paul McGuire talking about the Babylon Code and Bill Salus on “Salvation and the Final Four Religions.” WND CEO Joseph Farah will talk about “Restoration vs. the spirit of Diotrephes” and WND Senior Staff Writer Jerome Corsi has a two-part presentation of the “Obama Nation Continues.” Organized by the Prophecy in the [More]

Timeout for a laugh! 33 funny bloopers that appeared in church bulletins. 1. Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children. Read More: 33 Actual and Hilarious Things Said on Church Bulletins ~ Crack Two.